Tesla Model S vs. BMW M5
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Tesla Model S and BMW M5 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Tesla Model S and the BMW M5.
In comparing the Tesla Model S's and the BMW M5's specifications and ratings, the Tesla Model S has the advantage in the areas of reliability, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. The BMW M5 has the advantage in the area of resale value. Based on this comparison of the Tesla Model S's and the BMW M5's specifications and ratings, the Tesla Model S is a better car than the BMW M5.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Tesla Model S loses 59.5 percent of its value and the BMW M5 loses 54.1 percent of its value. This means the BMW M5 retains 5.4 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Tesla Model S.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Tesla Model S is 8.1 out of 10 while the BMW M5's quality rating is 7.3 out of 10. This results in the Tesla Model S being ranked 2 out of 26 Best Electric Cars and the BMW M5 being ranked 15 out of 29 Best Luxury Midsize Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Tesla Model S is 9.4 out of 10. For the BMW M5 the reliability rating is 7.6 out of 10. This gives the Tesla Model S an advantage in reliability compared to the BMW M5.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Tesla Model S’s base engine makes 670 horsepower, and the BMW M5 base engine makes 600 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Tesla Model S, a electric large car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front leg room and cargo space. The BMW M5, a midsize car, has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$72,990
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
$93,498
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
$72,990 - $105,700
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$120,080 - $152,523
Starting MSRP:
$109,900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$71,383
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$38,195 - $134,100
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
$125,386
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
$124,695 - $126,077
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$107,306
Price Range:
$96,169 - $120,129
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$71,027
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$39,610 - $126,923
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
23
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
17,365
# Good or Great Deals:
7
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$44,144
Depreciation %:
60.5%
Resale Value $:
$28,846
Residual Value %:
39.5%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
60.5%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
60.5% - 73.8%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$59,969
Depreciation %:
54.6%
Resale Value $:
$49,931
Residual Value %:
45.4%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
48.5%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
45.7% - 54.6%
Tesla Model S Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1 / 10
Reliability:
9.4 / 10
Retained Value:
6.8 / 10
Safety:
Not available
BMW M5 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.3 / 10
Reliability:
7.6 / 10
Retained Value:
7.1 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Tesla Model S
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW M5
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
7
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
10
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
7 - 13.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
67.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
37.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
3.2 - 67.5
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
2.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
0.6 - 28.7
Tesla Model S Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 26Ranking
1 out of / 15Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 26Ranking
2 out of / 26Ranking
2 out of / 26Ranking
2 out of / 15Ranking
2 out of / 15Ranking
2 out of / 15Ranking
2 out of / 15Ranking
4 out of / 15Ranking
6 out of / 15Ranking
6 out of / 14Ranking
7 out of / 15Ranking
8 out of / 15Ranking
9 out of / 26Ranking
10 out of / 26Ranking
11 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 26Ranking
15 out of / 26BMW M5 Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
4 out of / 29Ranking
4 out of / 29Ranking
9 out of / 9Ranking
13 out of / 29Ranking
14 out of / 29Ranking
15 out of / 29Ranking
17 out of / 29Ranking
19 out of / 20Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Tesla Model S Trim Levels
Base, Plaid
BMW M5 Trim Levels
Base
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
8 years / 150000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
670 hp
Torque:
Not yet available
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.147 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
600 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
553 foot-lbs @ 1800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.138 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
Not Applicable
Engine Configuration:
Not Applicable
Number of Cylinders:
Not Applicable
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not applicable
MPGe:
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
402 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Battery Size/Capacity :
100 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
15 hours (240V)
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
4.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
8
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
15 / 21 / 17
MPGe:
Not applicable
Range (city/hwy):
302 / 422 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Battery Size/Capacity:
Not applicable
Maximum Charging Rate:
Not applicable
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Air Suspension:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Roof Rack:
N/A
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.4 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.1 inches
Cargo Space:
28.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
120.3 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Cargo Space:
14 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
103.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4560 lbs
Width:
86.2 inches
Height:
56.3 inches
Length:
197.7 inches
Wheelbase:
116.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4345 lbs
Width:
83.7 inches
Height:
58 inches
Length:
196.4 inches
Wheelbase:
117.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.2 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 9.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/45R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 9.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
275/40R19
Exterior Colors
Black
Solid Black
Blue
Deep Blue Metallic
Gray
Stealth Gray
Red
Ultra Red
White
Pearl White Multi-Coat
Green
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic
Blue
Marina Bay Blue Metallic / Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
Gray
Alvite Grey Metallic / Dark Graphite Metallic / Skyscraper Grey Metallic
Red
Aventurin Red Metallic
White
Alpine White
Green
San Remo Green Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Cream
Black
Black
White
Black and White
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Black / Black/Midrand Beige
White
Smoke White/Black
Brown
Aragon Brown / Tartufo
Gray
Silverstone
